Owners can help alleviate July 4 pet anxiety

Feather Publishing

7/4/2013

The Fourth of July is one of the most stressful and potentially dangerous times of the year for pets. While owners and their family, friends and neighbors are celebrating the holiday with fireworks, pets are finding these festive activities anything but celebratory.

Many “pet parents” assume that if their pet is not afraid of thunder or other loud noises, they will not be bothered by fireworks. This is not necessarily true. Even pets who normally are not bothered by thunder and other loud noises are often frightened and panicked by the cumulative effects of the fireworks, the excited voices outside and being left alone inside the house.

If pets are left outside and unattended, the noise and raucous activity often drives them to run away. In fact, the July 4 holiday is a very busy time for animal shelters across the U.S. They report taking in a higher number of dogs that run off during firework festivities. In addition, many police stations log higher volumes of stray dog calls and barking complaints on July 4 compared to any other day of the year.

By planning ahead and taking some commonsense precautions, owners can help ensure their pet is happy and safe this Fourth of July.

Do not take your pet to fireworks displays.

Do not leave your pet alone in the car. With only hot air to breathe inside a car, your pet can suffer serious health effects even death in a few short minutes. Partially opened windows do not provide sufficient air, but they do provide an opportunity for your pet to be stolen. However, if your pet is most comfortable in the car, some pet parents find that driving around with their pet in the car helps to calm their pet.

Keep your pets in your home in a comfortable and quiet area with the shades drawn. If your pet is crate-trained, then their crate is a great choice. Some animals can become destructive when frightened, so be sure that you’ve removed any items that your pet could destroy or that would be harmful to your pet if chewed. Leave a television or radio playing at normal volume to keep your pet company while you’re attending Fourth of July picnics, parades and other celebrations.

If you know that your pet is seriously distressed by loud noises like thunder, consult your veterinarian before July 4 for ways to help alleviate the fear and anxiety he or she will experience during fireworks displays.

If your pet seeks comfort in a bathtub, under a bed or other small space … let him. Do not try to lure him out. If the space is safe and it makes him feel more secure, let him be.

Never leave pets outside unattended, even in a fenced yard or on a chain. In their fear, pets who normally wouldn’t leave the yard may escape and become lost, or become entangled in their chain, risking injury or death.

Make sure your pets are wearing identification tags so that if they do become lost, they can be returned promptly. Animals found running at-large should be taken to the local animal shelter, where they will have the best chance of being reunited with their owners.

Here’s to you and your pet having a happy and safe Independence Day!

For more pet-friendly tips, visit TripsWithPets.com.

About TripsWithPets.com

TripsWithPets.com is the No. 1 online resource for pet travel. It was named best pet travel site by Consumer Reports. TripsWithPets.com offers resources to ensure pets are welcome, happy and safe when traveling.

The website features a directory of pet-friendly hotels and accommodations across the U.S. and Canada, airline and car rental pet policies, pet-friendly restaurants and beaches, search by route, pet travel tips and pet travel supplies, along with other pet travel resources.

About the author

Kim Salerno is the president and founder of TripsWithPets.com. She founded the pet travel site in 2003 and is an expert in the field of pet travel. Her mission is to ensure that pets are welcome, happy and safe in their travels.